BIOGRAPHY
*2002-Present/ Cheff’ Rootsie became a “Community Educator” for the East New York Farmers Market. She travels to assigned locations doing healthy food cooking demos that teach children , seniors and young mothers about fresh produce and healthy cooking.
*2008-Present/ Cheff’ Rootsie started working as a co-host and deejay on a long standing radio show being aired from Columbia University. Her radio show focuses on eclectic Reggae music from the 60’s and 70’s. Her show has over 100,000+ listeners world-wide. Cheff’ Rootsie uses this platform to promote her business Veggie Grub, as well as plant based /vegan events, Veganism and healthy lifestyle options for the listeners. If you are in the 5 boroughs you can tune your radio dial to 89.9fm every Saturday 8am-12 noon. If not then you can log onto www.wkcr.org to listen live from anywhere in the world.
2015-Present/ Cheff’ Rootsie freelances as a vegan consultant for numerous Juice Bars & Cafes who have a need for implementing vegan options on their menu.
2016-Present/ Cheff’ Rootsie initiated a yearly vegan cooking class series. So far Chef Rootsie has taught over 200 clients how to transition to a vegan lifestyle.
*2016/ Cheff’ Rootsie Graduated from the Food Pathways Program in 2016. This program is structured to help low income individuals living in public housing take their food Business to the next level. Not only did she graduate but she was one of the 4 winners of the programs business plan competition and was the recipient of five months complimentary space at Pilotworks commercial kitchen.
*2017/2018/ Cheff’ Rootsie is the reigning “Vegan Mac and Cheese Champion” care of the annual Vegan Mac Throwdown competition by US Vegcorp.
*2017-Present/ Cheff’ Rootsie facilitated a cooking show on Bed Bath and Beyond TV and has been inducted to be a regular chef demonstrating cooking lessons in their state of the art kitchen for future broadcasts.
CHEFF ROOTSIE
Cheff’ Rootsie, is the Mastermind behind the Veggie Grub experience of, “You Won't Believe it's Vegan”. Cheff’ Rootsie has developed the concept of, “Flipping Food”, where she makes the vegan version of familiar meals that are traditionally made with meat. Cheff’ Rootsie's menu selections like, “Vegan Shrimp Gumbo”, “Vegan Chicken Salad Wraps”, “Popcorn Tofu Fried Chick'un” and her 2017 award winning, “Shaka-Zulus Cheezy Feet Mac and Cheese” are just to name a few of Veggie Grub’s delectable vegan creations.
In 2017, Cheff’ Rootsie achieved her long time goal of making Veggie Grub an LLC after operating out of her home illegitimately for over 15 years. She thanks organizations like, REES, SBS, Start Small Think Big, Camba and Section 8 for assisting her with the resources necessary to take her business out of her home and into a commercial kitchen.
Cheff’ Rootsie's passion for cooking vegan food stems from her journey of being almost 500 lbs back in 1996 when she was still a carnivore. After moving in with a vegan college roommate, she lost over 250 lbs in the first few years effortlessly by simply changing her diet. Cheff' Rootsie attests that becoming vegan changed the course of her life for the better. Below you will find just a few noteworthy accomplishments that Cheff’ Rootsie has made during her journey of living healthy and helping others along the way.
3/2018- Cheff’Rootsie was awarded a proclamation from NYC Hip Hop is Green in Conjunction with The Brooklyn Borough President's Office. She is recognized for over two decades of work as a vegan activist in the New York community.
5/2018- Cheff’ Rootsie was awarded the title of, “NYC'S People's Choice Award winner of the Vegan Burger Competition”.
3/2019- Present, Cheff’ Rootsie started another company called, Vegan Ventures NYC (VV NYC). VV NYC facilitates events like, Pop-Ups, Parties, Food Competitions, Ski Trips, Bus Trips, etc. The concept it create a community that shares similar interests whom also desire vegan food/ Animal Free products.
1/2019- 3/2019, Cheff’ Rootsie acquired a prime kiosk location on w125th street in Harlem. The location is called, Vegan Vibz Harlem. The concept behind this location is to maintain a space where a collective of vegan chefs can sell their food on a rotating schedule as an economical opportunity.
4/19- 9/20 Cheff’Rootsie became partners with a local NYC vegan restaurant named, The V-SPOT. Veggie Grub food is now a permanent fixture at the newly renamed Vegan Food Court. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the Vegan Food Court suffered tremendous financial loss and we had to close our doors.
11/20- Present Cheff' Rootsie partnered with one of her suppliers , Lily's Vegan Pantry, formally know as, May Wah. Lily's Vegan Pantry is a major distributor of vegan products worldwide. Cheff' Rootsie is honored to have received such an opportunity. With the help of Lily's Pantry Veggie Grub food items can now be found in stores across the five boroughs as well as worldwide, in addition regular customers can order the items and have them delivered anywhere nationwide.
Thank you for taking the time to find out about Cheff’ Rootsie of Veggie Grub.
Contact Info:
(347)304-7442
